Converting Cassette to CD

Converting an old audio or video cassette into a CD (Compact Disc) is the kind of task that arises when an old technology we used is replaced by a superior technology. The audio and video cassette technology has been in vogue, since its introduction in the 1960s, until the arrival of the compact discs in the 1980s. Gradually over time, the optical technology of compact discs and now the DVDs have pushed the magnetic tape recording technology of the cassettes into redundancy. Compact disks and DVDs render superior quality audio and video compared to magnetic tapes. The reason being, they are digitally encoded and also last longer.

What about people who have their majority of rare old music collections stored on audio cassettes? What about the ones with video recordings of precious family moments on cassettes? They can convert their audio and video cassettes to digital form and burn them on compact discs at home at almost no cost! All they need is a personal computer with its requisite software and a cassette player with some appropriate connecting plug-in wires.

Converting Audio Cassette to CD

Converting audio cassettes to CDs is the simplest task of the two. First arrange for a cassette player if you do not have one. You need a connecting wire which links the audio line output of the player to the line input of the sound card, in your personal computer. Mostly this is a 3.5 mm jack, and it can be easily purchased from outlets like Radioshack. If the appropriate plugs and sockets do not match, use adapters.

The essential idea is this: you play the song on the cassette player and its audio output which is an electrical signal is transferred through the sound card and captured by a software on the hard disk of your computer, to be converted to digital format. There is a free open source software called Audacity, that takes in the audio signals and converts them into a '.wav' or '.mp3' format. You can easily download this or similar software from the Internet.

It is advisable not to keep the player or stereo away from the computer, to avoid interference in audio quality. Also ensure that both, the stereo and the computer are not disturbed during the conversion. Start the song or whatever audio you want to record. Monitor the incoming signal amplitude levels on Audacity. Increase the volume, if the signal is too low. Press the record button in the software, after you are sure about the amplitude levels. Select whichever format you want your digital file to be in. Using audio filter facility in the software, you can improve the recorded quality of your song. Once you have the converted .wav or .mp3 files on the hard disk, the job is done. Use a CD writer and writing software, like Nero, to burn the songs on a compact disc.

Some ingenious people have designed a audio tape player, that can be built into the computer like a CD or floppy drive. Whatever you play on it, is directly recorded on the hard disk. Go for it, if you can afford it or use the relatively less costlier option mentioned above.

Converting Video Cassettes to CD

For converting a video cassette to CD, the procedure is identical by its principles. The only changes are, you replace the cassette player with a VHS player or a VCR, and of course the video connectors (wires) will be required. Along with the sound card, you will need a TV-tuner card which can capture video input signal.

The special cable that you will require for connecting the video output of the VHS player to the TV-tuner card is called a RCA video cable. These are usually cables of higher grade than audio cables. Many TV-tuner cards or all-in-one video cards come with inbuilt software for conversion into '.mpeg' or '.avi' format. If it's not supplied, then you can easily download it from the internet. These software too, have tools for improving the video and audio quality of the original tape.

This way you can convert and preserve your precious video moments and your music. This is what, technology can do for you, by helping you preserve your all-time cherished memories!